Gas Pain (Children)

Medically Reviewed by Sabrina Felson, MD on February 11, 2024
1 min read

Gas pain is common in infants and children and rarely a cause for concern.

  • Your child seems to have little energy.
  • Your child moves around much less than usual.
  • Your child can't be comforted or is inconsolable for two hours or more.
  • Your child regularly vomits after eating.
  • Your child has blood in their stool.
  • Your child's abdomen seems to be distended and causing pain.
  • Don't overfeed your child.
  • Hold them upright during and after feedings.
  • Burp your infant often.
  • Rock your child gently.
  • Move your child's legs as if they were pedaling a bicycle.
  • Rub your child's stomach lightly.
  • Lay them across your lap and pat their back.
  • Place a warm towel or water bottle on your child's tummy. (take care it is not too hot)
  • If formula-feeding, talk with your pediatrician about switching to a soy-based formula or, if your child is older than 1 year, soy or almond milk. If an older child has gas pain after having milk products, talk to your doctor about lactose intolerance, especially if there is a family history of it.
  • If you're breastfeeding, you don't need to be concerned about your own diet causing gas pains in your baby. There's no evidence that a mom's diet has an effect on gas in babies.